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Family History Documents and Artefacts => FH Documents and Artefacts => Topic started by: lisalisa on Thursday 24 November 16 12:33 GMT (UK)

Title: Cause of death? 1851
Post by: lisalisa on Thursday 24 November 16 12:33 GMT (UK)

Hello,

I received a death cert (pdf order) today and the cause of death is given as 'Decline' (then lower down the column 'Certified').  The death was of a female aged 30, married, and she died at home in 1851.

My question is, what was meant by 'Decline'?

Thanks in advance,

Lisa

Title: Re: Cause of death? 1851
Post by: JenB on Thursday 24 November 16 12:37 GMT (UK)

A gradual sinking and wasting away of the physical faculties; any wasting disease, esp. pulmonary consumption; as, to die of a decline. --Dunglison. [Webster1913]

http://www.antiquusmorbus.com/English/Senility.htm

Also

Decline" was obviously a "catch all" category covering any slow versus contagious decease before the advent of more modern diagnosis. The age range for decline was from "infant" to "old age".

More information here http://www.maggieblanck.com/Land/CD.html

Title: Re: Cause of death? 1851
Post by: 3sillydogs on Thursday 24 November 16 12:39 GMT (UK)

Agreed.

Slowly succumbing to whatever illness the person was suffering from

Title: Re: Cause of death? 1851
Post by: lisalisa on Thursday 24 November 16 12:51 GMT (UK)

Thank you both very much, and thanks for the links JenB, I hadn't seen that website before.

These death certs certainly don't make for cheerful reading, just reinforce how difficult life must have been.  Her husband survived her by about 6 years.

Lisa